Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative

1 in 5 high school students seriously considered suicide in 2021. 42% of all high school students, and almost 60% of girls, felt chronic sadness and hopelessness.

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Children's MN reports a 94% increase in youth mental health visits to the Emergency Department (1700 visits in 2018 and 3300 visits in 2023.) Fairview and Children's both report youth with higher acuity such as suicidal ideation, self injuring behavior and symptoms of major depression presenting to the emergency department. 

In 2023-2024, 50% of new RCCMHC clients report their child missed several school days in the last month. 15.71% had missed 10 or more school days.

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MN schools reporting high or extreme chronic absence increased from 34%  to 71% (2018 to 2022.) Students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students of color have the highest rates of chronic absences. 

 

 

A national study shows 40% of teens report that they are worried about the mental health of a parent.

 

The American Psychological Association reports that 41% of parents say that most days they are so stressed they cannot function and 66% of parents reported feeling consumed by worries about money.

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45% of RC youth live in lower income households as compared with 29% of children in Hennepin County or 10% of children in Carver County.

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American Indian and Black youth are more likely to live in a lower income household. (For example- 60% American Indian, 35% Black, 22% Latino, 8% Asian, 3% White)

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21% of low income children ages 6-17 have mental health problems.

 

 

Social relationships are important to healthy identity formation and mental wellbeing. But 3/4 youth are experiencing high rates of loneliness and isolation. (See VIDEO with Surgeon General.) 

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Youth who spend 3+ hours per day on social media double their risk for mental health problems and loneliness. (But a recent survey shows teens average 3.5 hours/day on social media.)

 

​BIPOC youth in Minnesota are about 1/3 to 1/2 less likely to receive community based mental health services as white youth. But youth of color are  over-represented in non-voluntary services (such as child protection.)

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Systemic inequalities contribute to poor mental health. For example: Black youth are at higher risk for toxic stress. And Hmong youth have a higher risk for suicide.

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MN has the largest gap in graduation rates for youth of color in the country.

​A national student survey finds that LGBTQ youth report suicidal ideation 30% more often than peers.

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20- 45% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+, and most have left home or been kicked out due to family rejection. And nearly 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ young people report that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year according to Trevor Project's  2024 Survey.​
 

Before 2020, OVER HALF of RC residents who needed mental health services were not receiving them or were receiving delayed treatment. 

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In 2024, increased needs combined with mental health workforce shortages have resulted in 7-12 month waitlists for youth therapy (< age 11), skills work, neuropsych testing, and MN Choice Assessments as well as delayed access for youth mental health case management services.

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RC’s ratio of mental health providers to population is the LOWEST among counties in the metro area. 

Navigating the Children's Mental Health System is very hard. Caregivers don't know about service options. They don't know when or where to find care. 

 

Many RCCMHC families report that they have 15+ "workers" per family that they need to juggle. Other families say they don't have ANY ​services because they can't figure out where to start!

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Getting a diagnosis often involves working with primary care, child therapist, family therapist, and psychiatrist. 

Many RCCMHC families report distrust in health care, county, and school systems. 

 

77% of people with disabilities, 69% of people from ethnic minority groups, and 70% of LGBTQ+ people say they have had experiences that damaged their trust in the healthcare system.

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Institutional distrust is shaped by individual and collective experiences of injustice; ultimately, it is injustice that exacerbates health inequities.

In a recent summit with 200 Black Twin Cities middle and high school students, young people spoke out about the need for family therapy. “What we’ve learned is that young people don’t exist outside of the context of supportive adults and family" Rachel Warren, coordinator of the Reimagine Black Youth Mental Health.) 

 

Family engagement and "whole-family" services are rarely billable to insurance/Medicaid so local family service providers have to  use grant funding or do the work for free.

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A 2024 study by University of MN Medical School and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain has found that high school students who report using drugs, alcohol or nicotine are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and other mental health disorders.

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In 2022, Minnesota saw a 49% increase in fatal teen overdoses. 

Approx. 70% of youth in the Corrections System have a mental health disorder that has been unaddressed or under addressed.

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Over 90% of youth in the Corrections System have experienced trauma. 

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Youth felony cases in RC have increased 24% since 2018. 

 

​Research shows that family violence, child abuse and neglect can increase during times of caregiver stress.  Yet, we have very few options for temporary respite- especially for youth with developmental disorders or aggressive and challenging behaviors.

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"The immediate emotional effects of abuse and neglect—isolation, fear, and an inability to trust—can translate into lifelong consequences including low self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties." 

Youth are placed in out-of-home care when it is not safe for the child to remain at home because of a risk of maltreatment, including neglect and physical or sexual abuse. Youth may also be placed out of the home temporarily to receive mental health or chemical health treatment or because of involvement with the correctional system. 

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Youth with behaviors that can not be managed at home may also be "boarded" at a hospital Emergency Department or a temporary voluntary placement may be arranged at a shelter or foster home.

Youth and their families have strengths, resources and the ability to recover from adversity. But RCCMHC youth and families say they want services to be strengths-based but they feel as if most service providers focus on the "problems." 

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Many people who seek mental health care drop out. 70% who drop out do so after their 1st or 2nd visit. Families who do not feel respected or engaged in the process will not get the mental health treatment they need.